THE LESSONS & LEGACY of the RWANDA TRIBUNAL

The INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL for RWANDA (ICTR)
(in French: TRIBUNAL PENAL INTERNATIONAL pour le RWANDA) will soon end. This site is dedicated to preserving its lessons and legacy. The Rwanda genocide is an international, human issue. It is not an African problem or a Rwandan problem. It is a human problem.

NOTE: The IWS Documented News Service is committed to helping the Rwanda Tribunal garner more attention world-wide. The lessons and legacy of ground-breaking legal matters related to the unspeakable events in Rwanda should not be forgotten. Humans, whether from rich or poor countries, must remain vigilant in curbing the motivations that lead individuals and groups to violent hatred and barbaric acts against a class of people. Consequently, items about this tribunal, which will end shortly after 2010, will appear from time to time on this news service.

The Fifth Colloquium of Prosecutors of the ICTR, ICTY, SCSL, ECCC, ICC entitled "International Criminal Justice: Lessons from the Past, Reflections on the Future", organized by ICTR Prosecutor, was opened today in Kigali by the Honorable Prime Minister of Rwanda, Mr. Bernard Makuza in the presence of Prosecutor General of Rwanda, Mr. Martin Ngoga, Steven Rapp, US Ambassador-at-large for War Crimes Issues, senior staff of the various Tribunals, former senior officials of the Tribunals, NGOs, Representatives of Diplomatic Missions in Rwanda, Government Officials and Representatives of the Judicial Sector.

In his opening remarks, Justice Jallow who is hosting the colloquium, highlighted the importance of this year's theme. He said that the theme has been deliberately chosen, for today the administration of international criminal justice stands at an important crossroads which requires us to seek to draw on the lessons of the past and to indeed reflect on the future directions of this system.

He added that one of the most remarkable developments in modern times has been the speed with which international criminal justice has developed and the efficacy with which it has operated.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Rwandan Prime Minister, His Excellency Bernard Makuza thanked the ICTR for organizing the Colloquium saying that it was a unique opportunity to share experience on matters concerning the promotion of International Justice. He pointed out that the country has been undergoing all the necessary judicial reforms in order to speed up the process of justice, unity and reconciliation in the country.

During the three-day Colloquium ending 13 November 2009, the participants will hold discussions on matters related to the application of International Criminal Justice, winding down and Legacy of the Ad hoc tribunals. The participants will also visit the Genocide memorial sites in Kigali and Murambi.

The previous colloquia were hosted by the Special Court of Sierra Leone in 2005, the ICTY and the ICC in The Hague in 2006 and the ECCC in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2007. The first Colloquium was hosted by the ICTR in 2004.

The Colloquium builds on progress made at the National Prosecutors' Forum held in November 2008 in Arusha, Tanzania that dealt with the challenges of cooperation in the fight against impunity after closure of the tribunals. Both Colloquia were supported by the McArthur Foundation.

______________________________ This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

NOTE: The IWS Documented News Service is committed to helping the Rwanda Tribunal garner more attention world-wide. The lessons and legacy of ground-breaking legal matters related to the unspeakable events in Rwanda should not be forgotten. Humans, whether from rich or poor countries, must remain vigilant in curbing the motivations that lead individuals and groups to violent hatred and barbaric acts against a class of people. Consequently, items about this tribunal, which will end shortly after 2010, will appear from time to time on this news service.

Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS)

Presented by the IWS in conjunction with the Cornell Law School

Last month, the IWS Colloquium Series, with cosponsorship of the Cornell Law School (represented by Prof. Claire Germain) hosted Sir Dennis Byron, President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), who spoke about the Role of the Courts in Protecting and Preserving Human Rights. It was a fascinating evening that touched on both legal and institutional issues, never flinching from some of the moral and social issues. Of particular note are the ground-breaking precedents of the ICTR in regard to sexual violence and the limits of freedom of speech.

______________________________ This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

NOTE: The IWS Documented News Service is committed to helping the Rwanda Tribunal garner more attention world-wide. The lessons and legacy of ground-breaking legal matters related to the unspeakable events in Rwanda should not be forgotten. Humans, whether from rich or poor countries, must remain vigilant in curbing the motivations that lead individuals and groups to violent hatred and barbaric acts against a class of people. Consequently, items about this tribunal, which will end shortly after 2010, will appear from time to time on this news service.

Since its establishment in Arusha (Headquarters) and Kigali in 1995, the ICTR has:

* Secured the arrest of over 70 individuals accused of involvement in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Among those arrested were the former Prime Minister and several other members of the interim Government of Rwanda during the genocide as well as senior military leaders and high ranking government officials; * Completed trials of several of those arrested, including that of the former Prime Minister, Jean Kambanda. This was the first time that a Head of Government had been convicted for genocide; * Laid down legal principals in international criminal justice, which will serve as precedents for other International Criminal Tribunals and for courts all over the world; * Established a complex international institution based in Arusha and Kigali. The institution includes four modern, fully equipped Courtrooms and the first ever Detention Facility to be set up and run by a United Nations body; * Obtained the co-operation of the international community in the arrest of suspects, the travel of witnesses to Arusha, the detention of convicted persons and, in general, support for its aims and activities. * Pioneered advocacy for victim oriented restitutive justice in International Criminal law - a concept which has been included in the statute of the International Criminal Court.

______________________________ This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

NOTE: The IWS Documented News Service is committed to helping the Rwanda Tribunal garner more attention world-wide. The lessons and legacy of ground-breaking legal matters related to the unspeakable events in Rwanda should not be forgotten. Humans, whether from rich or poor countries, must remain vigilant in curbing the motivations that lead individuals and groups to violent hatred and barbaric acts against a class of people. Consequently, items about this tribunal, which will end shortly after 2010, will appear from time to time on this news service.

______________________________This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

Monday, July 13, 2009

SELECTED ARTICLES of INTEREST

Legacy of Rwanda's genocide: more assertive international justiceOut of 800,000 deaths emerged a new system of justice and more peacekeepers. But will either prove effective or enduring?By Scott Baldauf | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitorfrom the April 7, 2009 edition http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0407/p06s11-woaf.html